PORT ANGELES — The Port Angeles School Board is banning classroom pets because of concerns that dogs, rabbits, snakes and baby chicks threaten student health and safety.
The Peninsula Daily News reports the board voted in favor of the ban this week and will take a final vote at its June 11 meeting.
The board member who voted against the ban, Sarah Methner, says, “It’s a nanny state gone wild.”
Superintendent Jane Pryne says the rule was prompted by complaints against a few teachers who let their dogs run in the hallways.
Board Vice President Lonnie Linn says a review by legal and insurance teams found that almost any animal in a classroom is an unacceptable risk, especially for disease such as salmonella.
Fish tanks and service animals would still be OK.
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